Question Number: 28827

Law 17 - Corner Kick 10/6/2014

RE: Rec Adult

Jason Harries of Swansea, UK asks...

Can a corner kick be taken from either side?

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

No. It must be taken from the corner nearest where the ball crossed the goal line (in the referee's opinion).

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Jason
Law 17 sets out a procedure for a corner kick to be taken. It states that the ball must be placed inside the corner arc nearest to the point where the ball crossed the goal line. The referee is the sole judge of where the ball crossed. If it is tight it can go either way. I have seen situation where the teams are unsure and the ball has ended up on one side of the goal by a margin. It is common sense to go with that side as it is the closest when the ball is retrieved.
What should not be allowed is say a team with a left footed kicker wanting to go to the right side (as one faces the goal) for an in-swinging kick when the ball has clearly crossed the goal line on the left side.

Answer provided by Referee Gene Nagy

Jason,

Corners can be taken from either side. Left side if it went out on the left and right side if it went out on the right side of the field.

30 years ago goal kicks had to be taken from that side of the goal area where the ball went out. As in corner kicks, it was up to the referee to decide, which half. This was changed to anywhere in the goal area I think in the early 90s. Perhaps this is what you were thinking...